News

Greens Label CAP Reforms as 'Agri-business as Usual'

UK - Greens in the European Parliament have slammed proposed reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy.

The Parliament voted for a package of measures which Greens claim don’t go anywhere near far enough in addressing the serious environmental consequences of European agriculture as it stands.

Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the South East of England said: "These weak proposals don’t get us anywhere near close enough to developing environmentally sustainable agriculture in the EU.

The plans are voluntary and riddled with exemptions, so they will clearly fail to fundamentally shift farming to a sustainable path.

On top of this the watered down proposals on crop rotation are likely to increase the use of environmentally unsound chemicals on the food we eat."

Greens have also hit out at the lack of ambition of the proposals when it comes to create a fairer farming system in Europe.

Mr Taylor went on to say: "We would have liked to see a much lower cap on the amount that each farm can claim from so-called direct payments. These reforms will see huge agri-businesses and rich land owners will continue to receive up to €300 thousand per year.

"The Parliament has also missed an opportunity to tie direct payments to serious improvements in animal welfare and the creation in good agricultural jobs."

The Common Agricultural Policy is the biggest part of the EU’s budget. It makes up 40 per cent of spending and totals €58 billion per year.